Anoxic brain injury, which is also called Hypoxic Anoxic injury, occurs when the oxygen supply to the brain is inadequate or substantially low. The brain can survive for up to four minutes without significant damage. However, after four minutes your brain cells will begin to die and the result is compounded. After five minutes, the damage is permanent. The lack of oxygen can be complete or partial. Either way the results are devastating and can be life threatening. The damage caused to the body's vital organs may be partial or total disability.
Any form of trauma or accident can cause the body's systems to fail and result in a lack of the oxygen the brain needs. Respiratory failure, drowning, suffocation, tumors of the brain, and acute, low blood pressure can all interfere with the supply of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic brain injury starts with a coma, a loss of consciousness, or the affected person is unresponsive.
This is not always the case as sometimes they are drowsy, tired a lot, and sleepy. A coma or the loss of consciousness is a very dangerous and serious state to be in. Your first and immediate response should always be to call an ambulance.
The damage done to the brain is dependent on the period of time that the person remains in a state of unconsciousness. This is also used as an indicator to judge if the injury to the brain is mild, moderate or severe. The rate and speed of recovery in the period after the injury will determine or provide critical information on the extent of the damage.
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Factors such as how long it takes the patient to begin talking, walking, or to recover vital functions can indicate the prognosis for a speedy recovery or a lengthy battle. One of the possible effects of severe anoxic brain injury is a permanent coma, which occurs when the patient never wakes up or the person can remain permanently paralyzed or in a vegetative condition.
For the individuals who experience severe anoxic brain injury the prognosis is rarely good or positive. The chances for recovery are very small and unlikely. Hospitalization costs and other medical fees are enormous with no end in sight. The outlook is better for those suffering from moderate brain damage and the bills slightly less. It can take anywhere from a couple of months to a few years for recovery to take place and even then it may be partial or incomplete.
If the damage to the brain was minimum or mild then the chances for a full recovery are much more improved. There is a much greater chance for successful treatment and a full recovery within a few months to a year. The medical bills associated with this type are much less but still is a lot to handle for any individual.
If this injury was not your fault, it is important to contact a legal team with your best interests at heart like the team at Priority Legal.
Cheri Davis writes for LeraBlog and the information in this article was provided by www.prioritylegalclaims.co.uk
